NEWARK – Sometimes playing time has a way of working itself out. That’s exactly what happened with Joey Anderson and why he’ll be remaining in Newark with Devils this weekend instead of heading to Binghamton to play with the team’s American Hockey League affiliate.

An unfortunate collision with the net left Anderson needing surgery on his right ankle on Nov. 21. Even more unfortunate, his parents and girlfriend were in attendance, having come to New Jersey from Minnesota for the Thanksgiving week and to watch him play as an NHL pro for the first time.

Devils’ brass debated sending Anderson back to Binghamton for a few games to test the ankle and get his legs back underneath him, but Miles Wood will be unable to play Saturday against the Minnesota Wild. The upper-body injury he suffered in the second period of Thursday’s 2-1 shootout loss against the Islanders won’t land him on injured reserve but it is serious enough to force him out of at least one, possibly two games this weekend, opening up a spot for Anderson.

New Jersey Devils right wing Joey Anderson (49) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center.(Photo11: Eric Hartline, Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

“Joey has looked really good in practice and we really debated that yesterday afternoon, just what’s the best thing for him,” coach John Hynes said Friday after practice at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. “Maybe have him go down and play a few games in Binghamton and then come up with us for the road trip. But with Miles going down, we feel like he’s been here, he’s played well and he was a big part of our team before he went down.”

The 20-year-old Anderson, a product of Minnesota-Duluth, had just scored his first NHL goal a few days before the injury. But Anderson isn’t exactly an offensive force, what he does well is the things the Devils have not been doing well: He plays hard on pucks, on the forecheck and he’s a physical, yet deceptively speedy forward who can match up with heavier teams.

“I want to keep showing the intangible things that have gotten me where I am in hockey,” Anderson said. “Winning puck battles, being smart on the puck, being in good spots, winning battles. The biggest thing is being hard to play against, being heavy and playing a fast game.”

Taylor on track

Nov 23, 2018; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) skates with the puck against New York Islanders right wing Leo Komarov (47) during the second period at Prudential Center.(Photo11: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

The Devils have yet to update or upgrade the status of Taylor Hall, who has been on IR with a lower-body injury since New Year's Day. He has been on the ice but not consistently and he does not appear to be anywhere close to a return.

With the playoffs out of reach and the team already selling off assets it seems unreasonable to bring back the reigning Hart Trophy winner and risk further injury but Hynes insists it’s important to Hall to play again this season and the trainers currently have him on a progression that will lead to him playing again.

“I know he’s been frustrated with his injury and coming back and trying to make it work,” Hynes said. “But he’s also conscious that when he does come back, he is truly ready to come back and play. He wants to get his game back and work and continue to get better as a player. That’s what we’re anticipating.”

Hall’s agent, Darren Ferris, shed little light on the injury during an interview with Sirius/XM Radio earlier this week but he did say Hall is still happy in New Jersey and he’s confident a deal will get done to extend his contract this summer.

NEWSLETTERS

Get the Fire and Ice newsletter delivered to your inbox

We're sorry, but something went wrong

All the news about the New Jersey Devils, from training camp to the regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs.

Cory Schneider will get another start this weekend against either the Wild or the Carolina Hurricanes. The decision will be made by Saturday morning with the coaches waiting to see how Schneider’s body responds to practice and the treatment he received Friday.